Columbia University Graduation

Columbia University Graduation

Filing for Graduation – Deadlines and Procedure

Students beginning their final semester should review the dates to file for graduation.  If you miss the deadline, apply as soon as possible.  Please send questions to registrar@columbia.edu

Students should complete the online Application for Degree available directly within SSOL, under the Degree Application Status tab. 

All students eligible to apply through this online Application will find a button on the bottom of the Degree Application Status page, marked “Apply for Degree or Certification.” Clicking the button will allow students to submit their Application for Degree directly to the Office of the Registrar.

Please note that your SSOL may not be updated with your correct graduation date until a couple weeks before your graduation.  Please be patient.  If it is still not updated at that time, please email registrar@columbia.edu.  When your records have been updated, you’ll be able to go to SSOL and click on “Degree Application Status.”  Your correct graduation date should show in “Expected Graduation.”  The word “Submitted” should show in the Application Status Field.  

Students must complete program requirements to graduate. 

Checking for Graduation Approval

Notification of graduation will be listed in SSOL:  SSOL > Academic Profile > Columbia Degrees and Specializations.  Students who complete their studies in December will have the following February as their official graduation date. 

Degrees are conferred on the:

  • Second Wednesday in February
  • Third Wednesday in May
  • Third Wednesday in October

Once graduated, the “Degree Application Status” will read “There Are No Programs on File” and the newly conferred degree will appear near the bottom of the Academic Profile in the box headed “Columbia Degrees and Specializations”.

It is the student’s responsibility to stay on track with graduation requirements, and to make sure their Faculty Adviser approves course selections prior to registering for each semester.  Schedules should be reviewed again if changes are made.

Diploma

The Office of the University Registrar provides an Electronic Diploma to graduates.   Students without any outstanding holds automatically receive their electronic diploma 1-2 weeks after their degree conferral. They receive an email from Parchment, our digital vendor, with download instructions. For questions, please contact the Diplomas Team at diplomas@columbia.edu

Paper diplomas for graduates will be mailed to the address on file in the “Diploma Address” section of the “Addresses:  View and Update” page in SSOL.  Diplomas are mailed within two months of the graduation date.  If there is no DP address on file, the diploma cannot be sent.  To pick up the diploma in 205 Kent Hall, the DP address should be:  “Hold for Pickup.”  An email is sent when the diplomas are ready for pick-up.  Questions should be sent to diplomas@columbia.edu

Graduation Ceremonies in mid-May

Columbia holds its formal graduation ceremonies in May for all students.  MA Statistics students who graduate in the previous February or October may participate in the ceremonies in May.  The GSAS Convocation does not require individual tickets for family members to attend.  The Columbia Commencement limits the number of tickets.  Further information for students on participation in the ceremonies can be found HERE

Inviting Friends and Family (International Students)

Information on how to invite distant family and friends for Graduation is HERE.

Academic Certifications

If official proof of student enrollment is required by an employer or another entity, please visit the Office of the University Registrar in 204 Kent.  For academic certification, an official document provided by the University Registrar verifying your dates of attendance, award of degree, and/or student status (full-time or part-time) by semester please visit Office of the University Registrar: Certifications.  Current matriculated students can request enrollment certification via SSOL

Request for Transcripts

Inquiries for transcript requests should go to the Office of the Registrar –

Alumni Benefits

Please reach out to the Alumni Center.  
Columbia Alumni Center 622 West 113th Street, Mail Code 4525 · New York, NY 10025 
Phone:  212-851-7800